Legal team size: Five staff, including me, with a total of 12 law firms on the bank’s panel.

What country are you based in? Tanzania, East Africa

Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape over the next 5–10 years that companies should prepare for?

Over the coming decade, it is expected that technological advancements will continue to significantly impact the legal profession. Innovations in artificial intelligence and automation are poised to optimize processes such as contract review, due diligence, and legal research, thereby allowing legal teams to dedicate more resources to strategic advisory functions and complex problem-solving.

Moreover, as enterprises expand globally, cross-border regulatory compliance and data privacy considerations will become increasingly prominent. Legal professionals will be required to demonstrate adaptability, maintaining awareness of evolving regulations and collaborating effectively across diverse cultures and jurisdictions.

An increasingly important development is the heightened focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Organizations are expected to uphold ethical standards and maintain transparency.

In my view, those who adapt to change, commit to ongoing professional development, and cultivate robust collaborations with business counterparts will be optimally positioned to contribute value and effectively manage the complexities of the future legal landscape.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Throughout my career as a legal professional, I have encountered numerous experiences that have been both distinctive and influential. Managing intricate transactions and collaborating with colleagues to address unforeseen challenges have significantly broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the dynamic nature of the legal sector. Each case has imparted essential lessons in adaptability, innovative problem-solving, and the critical role of teamwork as the legal landscape continues to evolve.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?

Our legal team acts as a strategic partner within the company, working closely with business leaders to align legal priorities with the organisation’s broader goals. We strive to anticipate risks and identify opportunities early, so our guidance doesn’t simply resolve issues as they arise, it actively shapes the direction we take as a business.

We maintain open communication and hold regular knowledge-sharing sessions with business colleagues. This approach enables us to remain informed about the evolving needs of the company and to provide legal support that addresses those requirements. Our objective is to integrate legal insight into the decision-making process in a way that supports the company’s mission while protecting its values and reputation.

How are you bringing the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

We’ve adopted a proactive approach, making sure our team is present at the earliest stages of key business initiatives. By embedding legal professionals within cross-functional teams, we not only gain a deeper understanding of operational challenges and strategic goals, but we also build trust and open lines of communication with other units.

Regular touchpoints have been established, including training sessions that clarify legal concepts and encourage colleagues to seek guidance pro actively rather than treating legal review as a final step. This approach has contributed to cultivating a culture in which compliance and risk assessment are recognized as collective responsibilities, fully integrated into routine decision-making processes.